The Miami Dolphins played the most complete game of the 2010 season in last Sunday’s 33-17 win over the Oakland Raiders.

Chad Henne withstood some physical shots from the Raiders.

Chad “The Robot” Henne started his first game of the Rebooted Era and put together what I consider not only his best performance of the season (100.3 QB rating), but one of his most efficient performance in his 22 NFL starts.

The passing game thrived without Brandon Marshall, which was a little shocking. But keep in mind Oakland’s secondary was depleted by injuries. However, Marlon Moore and Roberto Wallace made the type of effort and plays that earned these undrafted rookies spots on the 53-man roster.

The defense got off the field on third downs (Oakland converted 2-of-9), and that’s with Karlos Dansby playing a limited role because of his left wrist injury. Dansby entering the game only in the nickel and dime package (usually on third downs). His replacement, Tim Dobbins led the team with six tackles in his 20 or so plays, which made him highly efficient per snap.

The starting safeties – Yeremiah Bell (interception and fumble recovery) and Chris Clemons (interception) - produced three turnovers. Would have been four if Clemons had pulled down that deep ball Jacoby Ford stole from his hands.

Despite limited success before Ricky Williams’ 45-yard touchdown run, the Dolphins stayed committed to running the football. The team finished the game with a 3.8 average per rush, which doesn’t exactly improve the team’s lackluster season average, but at least it was a step in the right direction.

The same can be said about the entire game, but there were still some glaring problems that need to be fixed if this team’s going to put together five straight wins, which is their goal according to Dansby….

If not for Williams’ 45-yard run, which came late in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins would have left Sunday’s game averaging 2.9 yards per attempt (49 of them). That just won’t do….

Vontae Davis, Patrick Cobbs and Dan Carpenter were the three special teamers who missed on tackling Ford during his 101-yard kickoff return. Tyrone Culver and Wallace lost lane integrity. However, the Dolphins suffocated Oakland’s return game the rest of the match. Wallace was stellar in coverage, and rookie safety Jonathon Amaya also showed why he was active instead of Reshad Jones, making four special teams tackles….

I’m puzzled by Oakland’s approach on kickoffs. Were they really scared of Nolan Carroll because the Raiders sure did squib and directional kick to the Dolphins a lot, and Sebastian Janikowski is one of the NFL’s best at kicking touchbacks. That one was a real head scratcher…..

While I admire Richie Incognito’s hustle, it’s obvious that the Dolphins’ starting left guard takes forever on his pulls to the right. As a result, he’s usually creating a traffic jam instead of making a second-level block. It’s not my place, but I’m certain Incognito would be better served playing right guard or center (Dolphins clearly need an upgrade) in the near future. But considering Incognito only signed a one-year deal this nomadic offensive lineman might be moving on after this season….

Sticking with the offensive line, left tackle Jake Long is playing mostly on toughness and guts. Some of his pass blocks were extremely unorthodox because of his injured left shoulder, but it got the job done. His shoulder injury has impacted his level of performance, but it’s simply dropped him from dominant to good….

Right tackle Vernon Carey opened the hole on Williams’ 45-yard touchdown run, but he had a hot and cold day on the field. Carey was hit with a costly holding call that negated Moore’s big reverse. Carey’s clearly playing in pain because of his troublesome knee issue, but it would probably help if he dropped 20 or 30 pounds….

Rookie right guard John Jerry allowed the game’s third sack because of poor footwork. Jerry, the team’s third-round pick, had one very good pull during the game, but the rest of his performance was lackluster. I’m starting to wonder if the coaching staff is seeing the progress they hoped would come with a continued investment in the rookie. He’s a decent pass blocker, but is lacking when it comes to the run game…..

Speaking of the run game, I consistently wonder why the Dolphins don’t do more delayed hand offs and draws out of the shotgun? Then I noticed that Tyler Thigpen’s package featured it. I know Henne doesn’t like the shutgun, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be used in it. This kind of rigid approach handcuffs the offense….

Henne took advantage of one of Oakland’s many safety blitzes by connecting on that deep out with Moore, who turned it up field for a 57-yard touchdown. Once the cornerback went for the ball it was easy sailing. More impressive is the fact Henne didn’t celebrate his longest touchdown pass of the season. Someone need to get The Robot an excitement chip…..

Clap it up for Lex Hilliard, who not only contributed a handful of impressive blocks as a fullback, but he provided the bone jarring block that opened up the crease that allowed Davone Bess to reserve field on his 47-yard punt return. I’ve long been critical of Lousaka Polite’s lead blocking, and I wonder if Hilliard might be an upgrade…..

Some people want to call Channing Crowder out for not recording a tackle against the Raiders, but keep in mind it was Crowder who aligned the entire defense properly in his 20-something plays, orchestrating a performance that held Oakland to 17-yards rushing. On plenty of plays Crowder took the fullback head-on (doing his responsibility) which allowed Dobbins or Bell to come up and make the stop. Give respect where it’s due folks. Crowder didn’t make any tackle, but don’t act like he missed any either….

Cornerback Sean Smith has been steady in coverage since regaining his starting spot, but Smith must learn to form tackle better, using his hands and not just his body. He’s too damn big to be scared of contact, and after three games where that’s been a glaring problem his poor tackling needs to be addressed. I’m still a card carrying member of the Smith fan club, but if he learned to tackle (which was the knock on him coming out of the draft) he’d be sensational.

Sorry I missed your post a few days ago. I was sitting right above you in the 3rd section first row. Great seats for watching the entire field. I spent a lot of time watching our secondary and came away impressed. If Amaya, Jones, and Carroll improve we could be set there for a while.

”

Couldn’t agree more DRG! Did you see a guy sitting about 2/3rds of the way up in a home(teal) Marino jersey?

We definitely should just hook up and tailgate for this the next time the fins are in the bay area. I don’t know if you’d ever go to SD, but I go to games there too when we’re playing.

Seems straightforward. Henne’s physical issues with touch and accuracy are trainable and not show-stoppers. Main question is if he can mentally operate at the speed of the pro game, checking all the potential receivers, and learning to look away defenders. This is likely just an experience issue if he does his filmwork and focuses but we start him the rest of the year and see if the improvement noted so far continues. (I will bet that in a couple of years he will be a top 10 QB and he may get better than that). The rest of the offense is beaten up but is a tough, scrappy group of guys. We probably have the WR we need long term (not completely convinced by Hartline but am convinced by Bess and Marshall) with young talent to develop behind them. We probably need an additional young RB. We need to strengthen left guard and center. Jerry will be fine. Long term we want better backup on Right Tackle. We probably have all the players we need on defense – except possibly for an upgrade at Crowder’s position. Hoping Merling re-emerges as a player and that Odrick comes back full force next year. We have some genuine stars in Long, Marshall, Bess, R&R, Dansby, Wake and Davis. Bottom line is that talent wise we are solid and maybe one draft and free agency (and further progress by our QB) away from being as talented as any team in the league. We have the great defensive coordinator. We probably need to upgrade offensive coordinator. Sparano should get another year to see if he is the leader or not. He has lots of positive aspects but is clearly a players coach and it is hard for players coaches to instill the toughness this style of team needs. He has shown some imagination with the Wildcat but outside of that the team is pretty plain vanilla and predictable – and hence easier than necessary to bottle up. Meanwhile, properly managed we have the substance to create a dynasty with a few key additions. We have come a long way since 1-15.

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
More

IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More